Careers in theatre
What can I do with a degree in theatre?
Our graduates are creative leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs. A degree in theatre will give you highly transferable and essential skills needed to navigate today’s rapidly changing job market. You’ll develop skills that are key to successful careers in every field, including teamwork, project management, research, public speaking, technological literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving. Because experiential learning is key to our approach, you’ll get real world experience while working towards your degree.
Our graduates flourish as professional theatre artists in Canada and around the world. You will find them on stage at the Stratford Festival or staring in Canadian Screen Award-winning shows on CBC, managing artistic programming at the National Arts Centre and the Banff Centre, providing technical expertise for touring productions or art direction for major motion pictures.
Beyond working in professional theatre, our alumni become creative entrepreneurs in museum interpretation, the music industry, community workshop facilitation, education outreach in schools and arts organizations, law, politics, communications, journalism and business.
Career options for theatre graduates
- Academic/researcher
- Actor
- Agent
- Arts administrator
- Choreographer
- Communications coordinator
- Community outreach and education
- Critic, journalist, TV host
- Director
- Entrepreneur
- Museum interpreter
- Musician
- Playwright/screenwriter
- Producer
- Production coordinator
- Set, costume, lighting designer
- Stage manager
- Teacher/instructor
- Theatre technician
- Voice artist/announcer
Develop your career
- Attend career development workshops
- Explore résumé, cover letter and interview resources
- Meet with a career educator
- Work with community through volunteer opportunities
Search for work
Meet our alumni
Actor
Erin has had a string of roles in successful TV series since graduating, including a recurring part in Glory Days, Life Unexpected and her breakout lead role in Godiva's, for which she received a Gemini nomination for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series. Erin became well known for her lead role in CBC's Being Erica. Read more
BFA Performance (2000)
Department Head
Geoff has been working and training as an actor since graduating in 2000. His TV credits include a series regular on Primeval: New World, recurring work on ABC's Once Upon a Time, Direct TV's Rogue, and he has been working as a lead on the ongoing series Signed Sealed Delivered, for which he received a Leo Award nomination. Read more
BFA Applied (2000)
Managing Director
Following graduation, Nathan began his career as the Front of House Manager at Belfry Theatre. He later became the Development and Operations Manger of Intrepid Theatre before moving on to his role as the Managing Producer of the nationally recognized Electric Company Theatre in Vancouver. Following that, Nathan spent five years as the Managing Director of English Theatre for the National Arts Centre. Read more
BFA Self-directed (2001)
Producer
Amanda went from being the Assistant Technical Director at the Phoenix Theatre to a powerhouse breakout film producer in "Hollywood North." She began her career transitioning from theatre lighting to lamp operating on sets and eventually moved into being a Production Coordinator for TV series and features such as Arctic Air, Hector and the Search for Happiness, and The Flash. Read more
BFA Production (2011)
Production Designer & Art Director
Bridget is a West Coast-based Production Designer and Art Director for film and television. After graduating, Bridget went on to work on blockbuster film projects such as Little Women, Night at the Museum, and Doctor Who: The Movie. In the world of television, Bridget worked as an Art Director for Stargate SG-1, Production Designer for Stargate Atlantis and Sanctuary, and Art Director for Arrow. Read more
BFA Design (1989)
Production Coordinator
Tyler is an animator, designer, and theatre maker based in Calgary, AB. He is the Production Coordinator at Quickdraw Animation Society, an artist-run centre for independent animators, and is a founding member of the experimental performance collective Humble Wonder. Read more
BFA Directing (2010)
Scenographer
Claire has worked from Halifax to Victoria as a technician, scenic carpenter, administrator, academic and scenographer. As a scenographer (which includes all of the visual, experiential and spatial composition of performances), she incorporates recycled materials, found-space and immersive environments into her practice. Read more
BFA Theatre history (2012)